Washington, Nov 14 : National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern estimates the revenue for current NBA season will rise by some 20 percent from last season to reach a record of $5 billion.

A year after a lockout that delayed the start of the season to Dec 25, Stern estimates revenue for the year ending next Sep 30 will be up to $5 billion, which will be the third among the major North American leagues following the NFL
($9 billion) and MLB ($7.5 billion), Xinhua reports.

"I would say that China, which is the largest segment outside the US, is doing very well. I would say we'll see that to some degree as well in Turkey, in Africa, in Brazil," said Stern at Beyond Sport United, a gathering of global team, league and industry executives at Yankee Stadium that focuses on social responsibility.

"The components are broadcast, digital, merchandise, marketing partnerships and events, which can be games and the 3-on-3 tournaments and clinics, any variety of events that draw people," he added.

According to Stern who will retire Feb 1, 2014, 30 years after he took the position, NBA matches are being broadcast in 46 languages to 216 countries and regions around the world. (IANS)